Sports/swimming head protection device

ABSTRACT

A swimming/sports head protection device for protecting a user&#39;s head from an impact. The head protection device is made of a rigid and resilient material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a sports head protection device, inparticular a sports cap device or swimming cap device configured toprotect a user's head while training, playing or competing in sports, inparticular swimming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exist many sports in which there is a likelihood or evenprobability of a head injury during practice or competition. Dependingon the age and playing level of the particular sport, head protection orheadgear such as a sports helmet or cap is used. For example, in highschool football and baseball, helmets or caps are typically used duringbatting in baseball, and during practice and competition in football.Also, headgear is typically worn during practice and competition inlacrosse. However, there exists many other popular sports where no headgear is utilized during practice or even competition such as soccer,field hockey, track, cross-country, tennis, gymnastics mainly due to thelower probability of head injuries combined with discomfort and visualimpairment and restrictions to mobility of the head while wearing ahelmet or cap in such sports.

In swimming, in particular during performing freestyle and backstrokestrokes, there exists a high probability of head injury when approachinga wall of the pool, and/or during a flip turn or back flip turn.Specifically, there exist numerous incidents of swimmers hitting theirheads, in particular the back of their heads into the wall or wall edgeof the pool when attempting to swim to the wall to complete a lap, orswim into the wall to perform a back flip type flip turn to continueswimming another lap. In some circumstances, the swimmer only receives abump on their head, however, there exist many incidents where theswimmer receives a significant or even severe head injury such as scullfractures or even neurological damage. The lateral area of the temporalbone is more susceptible to injury during sports, in particularswimming, and the major concern is the passage of the middle meningealartery through the temporal bone in the area anterior or superior to theear.

Thus, there exists a need for a light weight, unrestrictive,unobtrusive, comfortable and effective head protection helmet, cap orotherwise headgear that can be worn in a wide variety of sports duringboth practice and competition. The head protection needs to be conduciveto wear by athletes, and must also be effective to prevent or minimizehead injuries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention is to provide a sports headprotection device for use during training or playing sports, inparticular swimming.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a sports headprotection device that is lightweight in construction and unobtrusivewhile still being effective for protecting the head against injuries.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a sports headprotection device including a rigid and lightweight construction.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a sports headprotection device including a rigid plate construction.

A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a sports headprotection device including a rigid layer.

A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a sports headprotection device including a rigid insert.

A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a sports headdevice including a sports cap including a rigid head protection portion.

A eighth object of the present invention is to provide a sports headprotection device including a soft and pliable cap in combination with arigid head protection portion.

A ninth object of the present invention is to provide a sports headprotection device including a soft and pliable cap provided with a rigidplate connected to a surface of the cap.

A tenth object of the present invention is to provide a sports headprotection device including a soft and pliable cap in combination with arigid insert configured and located to protect a portion or portions ofa user's head.

The present invention is directed to a sports head protection device.The sports head protection device according to the present invention canbe configured as a cap, helmet, headgear or other type of headprotection. In one preferred embodiment, the sports head protectiondevice includes a rigid helmet or cap portion to cover particular areasof the head. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention,the sports head protection device includes a cap, preferably a softpliable cap, in combination with a reinforcement device such as a rigidand resilient plate, a hard plate, a rigid portion, a hard portion, arigid insert, a hard insert, a rigid layer, a hard layer or otherprotecting structure or construction having sufficient structuralstrength and capable of protecting the head. Preferably, thereinforcement layer or component is both rigid and resilient to allowthe sports head protection device to be fitted to a user's head.Further, the reinforcement layer is made of a material being both rigidand hard to spread impact energy over a larger surface area of theuser's head.

A preferred embodiment of the sports head protection device according tothe present invention is lightweight in construction, comfortable towear, and provides a suitable level of head protection. The sports headprotection device according to the present invention preferably at leastpartially grips a portion or portions of the head so as to remain on theuser's head during use. In a preferred embodiment, the sports headprotection device according to the present invention grips opposedportions of the user's head during use to retain the sports headprotection device on the user's head during sports practice, playing orcompetition. For example, the sports head protection device according tothe present invention can be made with a skull cap portion and a backportion that grips opposed positions on the front and back of the headin combination with two (2) side lobe portions extending downwardly fromthe skull cap portion that grip opposed side positions on the user'shead. In this manner, the user's head is snugly captured and nestswithin the sports head protection device during use.

The sports head protection device grips the user's head by portions ofthe device resiliently bending or bowing outwardly while fitting thesports head protection device on the user's head. For example, the backportion and the side lope portions are bowed outwardly by the shape ofthe user's head (i.e. head surface acting as a ramp to bend or bow outback portion and side lope portions when pushing the sports headprotection device downwardly on the user's head), or the user can usehis or her fingers to bend or bow outwardly the back portion and theside lope portions when fitting the sports head protection devicedownwardly onto the user's head. The resilient material of the sportshead protection device and/or resilient construction of the sports headprotection device allows for the back portion and side lope portions toresiliently bent or bow outwardly for fitting or removing the sportshead protection device onto or off the user's head.

Optionally, one or more straps can be added to the sports headprotection device (e.g. chin strap, jaw strap, lower rear head strap,and/or side straps) to further maintain and hold the sports headprotection device on the user's head during training, play, orcompetition.

In a preferred embodiment, a soft portion, soft insert, soft shell, softlayering and/or a layer of separate or intercommunicating liquid (e.g.water) or gas (e.g. air) receptacle(s) or compartments designed toabsorb energy on impact, is combined with a rigid shell (e.g. outerrigid shell) to provide an additional layer of protection to absorbimpact energy and soften the blow to the head by an impact, and to makethe sports head protection device more comfortable to wear. Thisconfiguration provides two (2) layers of protection.

In another preferred embodiment, a rigid shell is layered between a softinner layer and a soft outer layer or two (2) soft layers are providedon a rigid inner shell to provide three (3) layers of protection. In amore complex version of the sports head protection device according tothe present invention, numerous layers, four to ten layers (e.g.composite of many different material is same layer or different layers)can be fabricated to make the sports head protection device. The shell,for example, can be made of a hard rigid material such as a metal layer,hard plastic (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, PVC), fiber glass,Kevlar, graphite, carbon fiber, composite material, ceramic layer, orsome other suitable light weight strong material(s) capable of beingformed into a shell configured to fit on the user's head.

The soft layers (e.g. inner layer, middle layers, and/or outer layer)can be provided by a foam layer, foam rubber layer, plastic layer,sponge layer, rubber layer, cloth layer, and/or a layer of separate orintercommunicating liquid and/or gas receptacles or compartments, orprovided by another suitable soft material. The soft layer can beapplied by layering, molding, bonding, adhering, cementing, heatbonding, thermal bonding, mechanical fastening, spraying, forming,dipping and/or other suitable methods of applying a soft layer to arigid shell. In most instances, the rigid shell provides the shape andstructural strength for protecting the head from damaging impact.

A swimming version of the sports head protection device according to thepresent invention utilizes materials suitable for use in a waterenvironment. The materials preferably are non-absorbent and/or encasedin non-absorbent material(s), and can withstand the application of waterand other chemicals (e.g. chlorine, bromine) normally found and utilizedin swimming pools without short term or long term degradation effects.In some embodiments, the materials may be configured with pores or otherenergy absorbing structure on the surface thereof.

The swimming sports head protection device according to the presentinvention includes a skullcap portion covering the upper, sides, andrear portions of the user's head. A back portion extends downwardly fromthe skullcap portion along a back portion of the user's head toward theneck. The swimming sports head protection device according to thepresent invention is configured to protect in particular the top, sides,and back of the user's head from impact with the wall and/or edge of thewall of the pool when the user is attempting to approach the wall,and/or conduct a flip turn while swimming freestyle or backstroke, or aback flip turn while swimming backstroke. This type of impact andresulting injury is very common for swimmers doing backstroke andapproaching the wall of the pool blindly.

The swimming sports head protection device according to the presentinvention is specifically configured and arranged to protect the user'shead from injury, in particular severe head injury upon impact with thewall or edge of the wall of the pool. Again, however, the swimmingsports head protection device according to the present invention must besuitable for use during practice, play, and competition, and thus mustproperly fit the user's head and remain on securely during training orcompetition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of thesports head protection device according to the present invention shownon a user's head as indicated in ghost image.

FIG. 1A is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view through thesports head protection device shown in FIG. 1 showing the forces appliedby the sports head protection device on the user's head.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the sports head protection deviceshown in FIG. 1

FIG. 2A is a front elevational view of the sports head protection deviceshown in FIG. 1 shown worn on a user's head.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the sports head protection deviceshown in FIG. 1 without the user's head shown in ghost image.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the sports head protection device10 shown in FIG. 1 worn on a user's head.

FIG. 5 is a partial broken away cross-sectional view of an upper portionof the sports head protection device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial broken away cross-sectional view of an upper portionof a sports head protection device according to the present inventionhaving a modified construction.

FIG. 7 is a partial broken away cross-sectional view of an upper portionof a sports head protection device according to the present inventionhaving a modified construction.

FIG. 8 is a partial broken away cross-sectional view of an upper portionof a sports head protection device according to the present inventionhaving a modified construction with soft outer and inner layers.

FIG. 8A is a partial broken away cross-sectional view of an upperportion of a sports head protection device according to the presentinvention having a further modified construction with a layer ofintercommunicating compartments.

FIG. 8B is a partial broken away cross-sectional view of an upperportion of a sports head protection device according to the presentinvention having a further modified construction with a layer ofseparate or non-intercommunicating compartments.

FIG. 9 is a top planar view of the sports head protection device shownin FIG. 1, and modified to include additional protection layers atparticular locations on the sports head protection device.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the modified sports headprotection device shown in FIG. 9 shown worn on a user's head.

FIG. 11 is a top planar view of the sports head protection device shownin FIG. 1, and further modified to include additional protection layersat particular locations on the sports head protection device.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the sports head protection deviceshown in FIG. 11 shown worn on a user's head.

FIG. 13 is a sequence of two (2) side elevational views of the sportshead protection device shown in FIG. 1 showing the back portion beingbiased outwardly for fitting the sports head protection device onto theuser's head.

FIG. 14 is a sequence of two (2) rear elevational views of the sportshead protection device shown in FIG. 1 showing the lobe portionsresiliently bent outwardly for fitting the sports head protection ontothe user's head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the sports head protection device 10 accordingto the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-4. The sports headprotection device 10 can be used as a swimming sports head protectiondevice.

The sports head protection device 10 is shown having a unitaryconstruction. However, the sports head protection device 10 can be madeof separate components or parts and assembled into a single unit. In apreferred embodiment, the sports head protection device 10 is made froma substantially hard and resilient plastic material such aspolyethylene, polypropylene, ABS, fiberglass, Kevlar, graphite, carbonfiber, composite, or other suitable hard resilient material. Thematerial used to make the sports head device 10 can be molded, injectionmolded, vacuumed formed, heat formed, machined, laid up, or made by someother suitable fabrication technique.

The sports head protection device 10 is a cap 11, including a skullcapportion 12, a pair of opposed side lobe portions 14, 14, and a backportion 16.

The sports head protection device 10 covers an upper portion of theuser's head, side portions of the head, and a rear portion of the head.The sports head protection device 10 is preferably made of a hardmaterial yet resilient enough to deform to allow the sports headprotection device 10 to be fitted onto the user's head, and then beretained thereon and withstand sports practice, playing, or competition.More specifically, the sports head protection device 10 resilientlydeforms when fitting the sports head protection device 10 onto theuser's head so that the sports head protection device 10 thenresiliently grips one or more portions, preferably multiple opposedportions, of the user's head to retain the sports head protection device10 on the user's head during sports practice, play, or competition. Forexample, the sports head protection device 10 is configured toresiliently grip and capture an upper portion of the user's head betweenfront/back and side/side opposed portions and positions on the user'shead.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the upper portion of the user's head is capturedbetween the front edge 12 a of skullcap portion 12 and the rear edge 16a of the back portion 16 a, which edges exert an inwardly force F₁ attwo (2) separate and spaced apart front/back opposed points or portions(i.e. two point longitudinal connection) of the user's head along acentral longitudinal axis of the sports head protection device 10. Asshown in FIG. 2A, the sports head protection device 10 exerts inwardlydirected forces F₂, F₂ on separate and spaced apart side/side opposedpoints or portions (i.e. two point lateral connection) of the user'shead along a transverse axis of the sports head protection device 10.The combination of the inwardly directed forces F₂, F₂ securely capturean upper portion of the user's head within the sports head protection 10in a resilient manner 10. This arrangement provides a four (4) pointconnection arrangement between the sports head protection device 10 andthe user's head.

Further, the sports head protection device 10 is configured (e.g. sizedor dimensioned) to be slightly less than the longitudinal and transversedimensions of the user's head so that the longitudinal edges 12 a, 16 aand transverse edges 14 a, 14 a are biased slightly outwardly by theuser's head when the sports head protection device 10 is being fittedonto the user's head. In this manner, the back portion 16 is bowedslightly outwardly and the lobe portions 14, 14 are also bowed slightlyoutwardly when fitting the sports head protection device 10 on theuser's head, which portions then resiliently spring back and remainresiliently biased against portions of the user's head when fully fittedon the user's head. The front edge 12 a of the skullcap portion 12 willbow to a lesser degree than the back portion 16 due to the front edge 12a being more rigidly supported by the skullcap portion 12 (i.e. shorterbending arm length). It is the bending resiliency of the various panelsor portions of the sports head protection device 10 that flexibly andresiliently bow outwardly slightly relative to the skullcap portion 12when the sports head protection device 10 is applied (i.e. forcedownwardly) onto the user's head.

The sports head protection device 10 can be tailored (e.g. by design,layering, providing rigid portions or inserts, shaping, and providingvarying thickness) so that the sports head protection device 10 flexesor bows in various modes or manners. For example, a more center portionof the sports head protection device 10 (e.g. skullcap) can be madesubstantially more rigid (e.g. greater thickness) relative to thinnerouter portions of the sports head protection device 10 (e.g. backportion 16 and side lobe portions 14) so that the back portion 16 andlobe portions 14, 14 can bow or flex outwardly when being applied to auser's head (i.e. by the shape of the user's head and/or by pullingoutwardly by the user's fingers).

Alternatively, the sports head protection device 10 can be tailored sothat the entire sports head protection device 10 throughout its lengthand width dimensions resiliently bows, flexes, or changes shape whenbeing applied to a user's head to spread, for example, the grippingpressure applied by the sports head protection device 10 onto the user'shead. The sports head protection device 10 can be tailored so that thesports head protection device 10 applies specific pressure points ontothe user's head for effective gripping thereof. In any event, it isimportant that the sports head protection 10 is both comfortable to wearwhile also being well restrained on the user's head to withstand sportspractice, play, or competition without substantial moving (e.g. rockingmovement on longitudinal or traverse axes, sliding on users' head,and/or lifting off the user's head).

Optionally, one or more straps (e.g. chin strap, jaw strap, rear headstrap, and/or side straps) can be applied to the sports head protectiondevice 10 to ensure that the sports head protection 10 is retained onthe user's head during practice, play, or competition.

Various constructions of the sports head protection device 10 accordingto the present invention are shown in FIGS. 5-8.

A preferred embodiment of a single layer or component sports headprotection device 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIG.5.

The sports head protection device 10 is heat formed (e.g. plastic plateis heat formed and cut to shape), injection molded (e.g. plastic devicemade of an injected molded plastic material such as polyethylene,polypropylene, ABS, polystyrene, or other suitable plastic material), orlaid up (e.g. fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fiber, graphite, compositefiber combined with resin).

A preferred embodiment of a two (2) layer or component sports headprotection device 110 according to the present invention is shown inFIG. 6.

The sports head protection device 110 includes a first rigid andresilient layer 18 (e.g. made of hard resilient plastic) and a secondinner soft layer 20 (e.g. made of a soft material such as foam material,foam rubber, soft plastic layer, soft synthetic polymer layer, sponge orother suitable soft energy absorbing material) to provide comfort to thewearer, absorb impact energy, and provide an additional layer ofprotection to the user's head.

A preferred embodiment of a three (3) layer or component sports headprotection device 210 according to the present invention is shown inFIG. 7.

The sports head protection device 210 includes a first rigid andresilient layer 18, second inner rigid and resilient layer 20, and thirdrigid and resilient outer layer 22. The additional third rigid andresilient layer spreads and diffuses impact energy reaching theresilient layer 18 and user's head.

Another preferred embodiment of a three (3) layer or component sportshead protection device 310 according to the present invention is shownin FIG. 8.

The sports head protection device 310 includes a first rigid andresilient layer 18, a second soft outer layer 22′, and a third softinner layer 20 made of a soft material (e.g. foam, foam rubber, plastic,vinyl, cloth, soft composite material). This arrangement provides softouter surface and inner surface. The soft outer layer 22′ providesprotection to person's other than the user in the event of a collisionbetween the user's head and another person's body, in particular theirhead.

A further preferred embodiment of a three (3) layer or component sportshead protection device is shown in FIG. 8A.

In this embodiment, the soft inner layer 20′ is made of made ofintercommunicating compartments 24. The compartments 24 can be empty(i.e. void), or preferably filled with an energy absorbing material suchas gas or combination of gases (e.g. air, nitrogen, helium, argon,carbon dioxide), a liquid or combination of liquids (e.g. water,hydrocarbon), a gel or combination of gels, and/or a powder orcombination of powders. For example, the soft inner layer 20′ can be amolded soft plastic resin bladder having a single compartment ormultiple compartment bladders, and partially filled or completely filledwith a gas, liquid, gel and/or powder. The soft inner layer 20′ can beattached (e.g. adhered, fastened) to rigid and resilient layer 18.

An even further preferred embodiment of a three (3) layer or componentsports head protection device is shown in FIG. 8B.

In this embodiment, the soft inner layer 20″ is made of made of separate(i.e. non-intercommunicating) compartments 26. The separate compartments26 can be empty (i.e. voids), or preferably filled with an energyabsorbing material such as gas or combination of gases (e.g. air,nitrogen, helium, argon, carbon dioxide), a liquid or combination ofliquids (e.g. water, hydrocarbon), a gel or combination of gels, and/orpowder or combination of powders. For example, the soft inner layer 20′can be a molded soft plastic resin bladder having a single compartmentor multiple compartment bladders, and partially filled or completelyfilled with a gas, liquid, gel and/or powder. The soft inner layer 20′can be attached (e.g. adhered, fastened) to rigid and resilient layer18.

In these preferred embodiments, additional layers beyond three (3) (i.e.four (4) or more) can be provided to tailor the sports head protectiondevice to provide flexibility, resiliency, rigidity, softness, strength,impact strength, tensile strength, hardness, comfort, durability,structural strength, ergonomics, and other important parameters orcharacteristics desired.

Another further preferred embodiment of the sports head protectiondevice 410 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9 and10.

The sports head protection device 410 includes the base sport headprotection device 10 shown in FIGS. 1-4, in combination with additionalpanels or layers or 424 a,b,c. These additional layers 424 a,b,c can bemade of the same and/or different materials. For example, the additionallayers 424 a,b,c can be applied to add layers of protection, hardness,softness or to provide other desired effects.

The additional layer 424 a, b, c can be bonded, adhered, formed, molded,attached or otherwise made in the shape and size as shown and indicated.For example, the additional layer 424 a provides extra protection andrigidity to the skullcap portion 412, the layers 424 b can be added toprovide additional impact protection for the lobe portions 414, 414, andthe layer 424 c can be added to provide extra impact protection to theback portion 416. The size, shape, thickness and other physical,chemical and/or engineering properties of the layers 424 a,b,c can betailored to provide extra protection to portions of the user's head thatare more delicate and susceptible to injury versus other portions of theuser's head.

An even further preferred embodiment of the sports head protectiondevice 510 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 11 and12.

The sports head protection device 510 includes the base sports headprotection device shown in FIGS. 1-4 in combination with additionallayers 426 a,b,b,c,c,d,d. In this preferred embodiment, the additionallayers 426 a,b,b,c,c,d,d, are strips or strip layers applied in themanner as shown and indicated in the drawings. The additional layers 426a,b,b,c,c,d,d provide additional layers of protection to the base sportshead protection device, and are located at positions most likely to beimpacted.

In use, the sports head protection device 10 is applied to a user'shead, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

As shown in FIG. 13, the lower edge 16 a of the back portion 16 of thesports head protection device 10 is biased rearwardly, for example, by auser's fingers to open the sports head protection 10 in the longitudinaldirection thereof.

Alternatively, the user can apply the sports head protection device 10by moving the sports head protection device 10 above the user's head sothat the lower edge 16 a of the back portion 16 engages an upper backportion of the user's head, which biases the back portion 16 rearwardlyas the user pulls the sports head protection device downwardly to beginegress of the user's head into the sports head protection device 10.

As shown in FIG. 14, the user biases the edges 14 a, 14 a, of the lobeportions 14, 14 outwardly, for example, by using the user's fingers, andthen pulling the sports head protection device 10 downwardly so that thesports head protection device 10 is fully fitted onto the user's head.The lobe portions 14, 14 and back portion 16 resiliently bend or flexback to towards their unbiased positions or conformations to securelygrip the user's head by the opposed forces F₁, F₁ and F₂, F₂, as shownin FIGS. 1A and 2A.

The sports head protection device 10 is sized and shaped that the backportion 16 and side lobe portions 14, 14 still remain slightly biasedoutwardly by the user's head even when fully fitted on the user's headso that the opposed front edges 12 a and 16 a and opposed side edges 14a, 14 a remain biased against the user's head to provide securing orattachment to the user's head. In this manner, the inwardly directedopposed forces F₁, F₁ and F₂, F₂ are applied to the user's head by thelobe portions 14, 14 and front edge 12 a of the skullcap portion 12 andthe lower edge 16 a of the back portion 16.

To remove the sports head protection device 10 from the user's head, theuser grips the lower edges 14 a, 14 a of the lobe portions 14, 14, andlifts the sports head protection device 10 upwardly. The lower edge 16 aof the back portion 16 rides upwardly and is biased slightly rearwardlyby the back of the user's head acting as a ramp to release the user'shead from the sports head protection device 10.

1. A swimming/sports head protection device, comprising: a capconfigured to cover at least a portion of an upper head portion, side,head portions, and back head portion of a user's head, said cap beingmade of a rigid and resilient material closely conforming to a shape andsize of the user's head, said cap being configured to resilientlycapture an upper portion of the user's head and resiliently grip theuser's head by opposed spaced apart longitudinal gripping portions andopposed spaced apart transverse side gripping portions.
 2. Aswimming/sports head protection device, comprising: a cap configured tocover at least a portion of an upper head portion, side head portions,and back head portion of a user's head, said cap being made of a rigidand resilient material closely conforming to the shape and size of theuser's head, said cap including a skull cap portion, a pair of side lobeportions, and a rear portion said cap configured to capture the user'shead between a front edge of said skull cap portion and a lower edge ofsaid rear portion along a longitudinal axis of said cap, said capconfigured to capture the user's head between lower edges of said sidelobe portions along a transverse axis of said cap.
 3. A swimming/sportshead protection device, comprising: a cap configured to cover at least aportion of an upper head portion, side head portions, and back headportion of a user's head, said cap being made of a rigid and resilientplastic material provided with an inner layer of a soft pliable materialclosely conforming to a size and shape of the user's head, said capconfigured to grip the user's head between opposed spaced apartlongitudinal portions of said cap and between opposed spaced aparttransverse portions of said cap.
 4. A cap device according to claim 1,wherein said head protection device includes at least one reinforcementpanel provided as an upper surface of said cap.
 5. A cap deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein said reinforcement panel is adhered to aninner soft layer of said cap.
 6. A cap device according to claim 4,wherein said reinforcement panel is bonded to an inner soft layer ofsaid cap.
 7. A cap device according to claim 4, wherein saidreinforcement panel is a reinforcement plate.
 8. A cap device accordingto claim 4, wherein said reinforcement panel is a reinforcement layer.9. A cap device according to claim 4, wherein said reinforcement panelis a reinforcement insert.
 10. A cap device according to claim 7,wherein said reinforcement panel is contoured to the upper back portionof the user's head.
 11. A cap device according to claim 10, wherein saidreinforcement panel is adhered to an outer surface of said cap.
 12. Acap device according to claim 7, wherein said cap is provided with arecess for accommodating said reinforcement plate and a recess toaccommodate the user's hair.
 13. A cap device according to claim 12,wherein said recess is provided in an outer surface of said cap.
 14. Acap device according to claim 9, wherein said reinforcement insert isprovided between an outer layer and inner layer of said cap.
 15. A capdevice according to claim 7, wherein said reinforcement plate is a rigidplate contoured to the upper back portion of the user's head.
 16. A capdevice according to claim 7, wherein said reinforcement plate is made ofplastic material.
 17. A cap device according to claim 16, wherein saidplastic material is a rigid plastic material.
 18. A cap device accordingto claim 7, wherein said reinforcement plate is made of plasticcomposite material.
 19. A cap device according to claim 1, wherein saidhead protection device includes a cushion layer of intercommunicatingcompartments.
 20. A cap device according to claim 7, wherein said headprotection device includes a cushion layer of separate compartments.